BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals used a balanced scoring attack as they dismantled the Loyola Chicago Ramblers 76-50 in a non-conference women's basketball game at the Montagne Center on Tuesday night.
 
Five players scored in double figures for the Cardinals (5-3) as LU improved to 4-0 at home this season and avenged last season's 82-71 loss at Loyola.
 
The Cardinals (5-3) never trailed in this one, scoring the game's first eight points and never looking back. LU led 24-11 after one quarter, thanks in large part to 14 Loyola turnovers in the first 10 minutes as the Cards outscored the Ramblers 16-0 in points off turnovers in the first quarter.
 
"I feel like we gave them a tough time early with our press," LU coach Robin Harmony said. "We never let them get comfortable."
 
LU's Chastadie Barrs, who entered the game fourth in the nation in steals, had five of her game-high six thefts in the first quarter to set the tone. Barrs had a solid all-around game, finishing with 13 points, six assists and six steals with just one turnover in 29 minutes. Barrs had eight points in the first quarter.
 
"I just came out and had a burst of energy," Barrs said. "I know we start slow sometimes, so I wanted to make sure that we came out fast."
 
The Cardinals led 34-19 at halftime and 56-33 after three quarters. Lu led by as many as 31 points in the fourth quarter against the Ramblers (1-10).
 
Tuesday's game was the first since Dec. 4 for the Cardinals thanks to final exams, and Harmony, for the most part, was pleased with what she saw.
 
We didn't play our best at times, but it was nice to get the dust off and get a win," said Harmony, who was coaching her 100^th game at the helm of the Cardinals.
 
Baileigh O'Dell also had 13 points for the Cardinals, who got 11 points from Moe Kinard and 10 points apiece from Kiandra Bowers and Kiara Desamours. Bowers also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and 10^th of her career. Ashlan Miles added a career-high six assists in the win.
 
O'Dell drained three 3-pointers to give her 125 for her career, putting her in sixth place on LU's all-time list.
 
For the game, LU forced the Ramblers into 26 turnovers, as the Cardinals enjoyed a 29-14 edge in points off turnovers.
 
Barrs with her six steals has 159 for her career, good for seventh place on LU's all-time chart. The sophomore has at least one steal in all 39 games of her career.
 
Katie Salmon was the only player to score in double figures for the Ramblers, finishing with 10 points.
 
The Cardinals return to action when they host Louisiana College at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Montagne Center. All fans who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game will receive a free general admission ticket to the Dec. 29 hoops doubleheader. In addition, there will be free cookies and hot chocolate while supplies last. For tickets, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.